Featured Anything special or just a pretty bowl?

Don't know a thing about this one, except that she kept it in a little glass case in the upstairs hall. Which is exactly what is making me curious about it. I think it's the only piece in the whole house that she kept in it's own enclosure. It's 8 1/2" in diameter and 3 1/2" tall. Can't find any marks at all. Any ideas?

 

hmmmm......are you in Arizona? I think it's a Hohokam bowl and if so, very old. I'm not sure about the little circles or if it could be a repro or something else so maybe @Taupou could have a look.

 

This is from a family member's estate in GA. She traveled extensively and was extremely fond of California and the Southwest. I've found several things from artists in Arizona.

 

I suppose it's worth mentioning that this is the same house where "everything is something".

 

It's no..NA design I know of...but the color and design are very pleasing,,,,in that earthy way !

 

Thanks, Komokwa!

Just found this one. Interesting that the center spiral and hatching are the same as on the bowl.

http://swvirtualmuseum.nau.edu/wp/i...ery/hohokam-buff-ware/santa-cruz-red-on-buff/

 

well, you're a better man than me......& you may have a winner !!!!

Of all the NA stuff...SW pottery & me have never been friends....

 

We just don't have many SW items here, so I haven't taken the time to learn about them. Suppose I should. I really like the ones I've come across!

 

Not quite the same pattern, but somewhat similar in form. This sold in 2012. I found it through Pinterest, which led me to this site:

http://www.icollector.com/HOHOKAM-POTTERY-BOWL_i11851583

This one is at the Art Institute of Chicago. The form of the bowl is different but the pattern has some similarities to yours.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/61535

 

That 1st one was put together from a dig.....& they just call it cracks.....a joke !

But....while I can't speak to the glaze.....it sure looks like Sass's is worth an expert getting eyes on !!!

It was after all....kept away for anything else in the house !!! Eh ! Huh !!!!

 

Wouldn't that be something if it really does turn out to be the real thing?

 

Hi Sass. Do you have a local or State museum where you could get an initial assessment? It really looks gorgeous and there is just something about it that whispers "genuine". But I am no expert.
Interestingly, the colours and design remind me in some ways of the famous Ban Chiang pottery in Northern Thailand from around 2000 BCE. It's a most exciting site and you can still see skeletons and imbedded pottery.

 

We have a museum, but it's geared more towards local history (Civil War, railroad, golf, etc). We have an archaeological society that's working on a Paleo-Indian (Dalton period) site, but I doubt this type of pottery is something that they'd be familiar with. I'll give them a call and see though!

 

Still, they might have a great network that could help. And you just never know...https://bit.ly/2h47RMW

 

I remember that episode! What a sweet man.

 

You might call the HIGH Museum and see if they have a specialist. Or ask at Crocker Farm who they would recommend.
Patd

 

It is beautiful, sassafras. To me this bowl looks Southeastern NA.

They may know people who are specialized in Mississippi/Moundbuilder cultures, which is where I can picture this bowl. Whether antique or more recent, I don't know.
Maybe our new member @Kevin Donnelley will recognize it, and be able to tell you more.

The swirls were used in different parts of the world at one time, including China, as AuDragon observed. To me it is certainly one of the distinct features of Mississippi culture/Native Southeastern US ceramics, like these:



Contemporary Caddo pottery, based on ancient designs:


http://www.caddopottery.com/gallery.php

 

I'll attach a few photos from a small book I have Hohokam Pottery by Jan Barstad showing the similar shape with lines under the rim and another with similar swirl. In addition the date ranges for Hohokam pottery.

 

https://arizonamuseumofnaturalhisto.../exhibitions/cultures-of-the-ancient-americas

Santa Cruz Red on Buff
Hohokam, 900 CE
Southern Arizona


"This is an extremely large example of a Hohokam helmet pot, so named because of its resemblance to a World War I army helmet. This example dates to the late Santa Cruz Phase of the Colonial Period approximately 900 CE. This is a typical "quartered" design, with the bowl being divided into 4 quarters, each containing the same repeated design. "

Again, I'm not sure so hopefully Taupou will be along

 

Thank you all so very much for the help! I've sent off pics to several different places, so hopefully we'll hear some news soon.

Something I've noticed is that nearly every single example that I've seen online is either damaged or restored. This piece doesn't have a single problem that I can find. Odd for something that's potentially 1,000 years old.

Wish we would have known to ask her about it's history. Still sorting through mountains of paperwork, so there might be something there. Fingers crossed.